Five participants in the Rocky Mountain Revue were invited back for the Jazz's veteran's camp, following Thurday's game.
Andy Toolson, David Benoit, Cory Crowder, Kenny Battle and Walter Palmer were issued invitations by Coach Jerry Sloan after Utah's 85-80 overtime loss to Sacramento at East High.Perhaps the most notable player released was 7-foot-5 center Alan Bannister, who stuck with the Jazz all last year - although he spent the entire season on the injured list. "We just felt we should go in a different direction at this time," said Sloan.
Also cut were Kenny Atkinson (Richmond), Bob Harstad (Creighton), Ron Moye (Hartford), Chris Munk (USC) and Walter Watts (Utah). Moye has reportedly been invited to Golden State's fall camp.
The Jazz's selections were not surprising. Toolson, Battle and Palmer have NBA experience, though Palmer played only 10 minutes in the summer league due to a leg injury. Benoit, a 1990 Alabama product, led the team in scoring and rebounding during the summer league and Crowder, from Kentucky Wesleyan, played well in several games before tapering off at the end.
"We all liked him," said Sloan of Crowder. "He's an excellent athlete. He played better early before he started to tighten up a little. So I think he'll make it competitive in the fall."
As it stands now, the Jazz have only one contract spot left on the team - providing they sign free agent Jeff Malone. But Sloan reminded that "there are no guarantees out there. There may be some contracts, but we can't work at it from that standpoint."
- Brad Rock